-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Loud music pumps through huge speakers , front row guests cheer and a parade of stunning models electrifies the gleaming catwalk -- welcome to Africa Fashion Week London .

Currently in its third year , the glamorous event saw dozens of big names and up-and-coming designers from across the continent descending on the UK capital 's hip district of Shoreditch to unveil their latest stylish creations .

`` Our platform is about promoting emerging and established Africa-inspired designers , '' said Ronke Ademiluyi , founder of the event , held from August 1 to 3 .

`` The main thing is to bring attention to them , to showcase their creativity to the world so they get more global recognition for what they do and more appreciations for their brands as well . ''

Vibrant colors

The runways featured designs from countries such as Nigeria , Ghana , South Africa , Congo , Zambia , Zimbabwe , Botswana , Kenya and Morocco -- but also from the diaspora , including Britain and the Caribbean .

In many ways , the event reaffirmed why Africa-inspired designs are fast catching the eye of the fashion world .

Mixing current trends with traditional patterns , more than 60 designers graced the catwalk with a wide array of colorful creations -- everything from show-stopping evening gowns and modern urban casualwear to bold textured prints and chic accessory lines .

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Ademiluyi says the continent 's fashion today `` represents a fusion of contemporary and African designs '' awash with `` a lot of vibrant colors and tribal trends . ''

Amongst those giving a modern twist to traditional styles is Nigerian designer Fashola Olayinka with her Lagos-based label `` MOOFA Designs . '' Her latest collection , `` Ashake '' is celebrating the `` very powerful and strong women '' who `` turn heads wherever they go to . ''

`` That 's basically what 's the collection is about , '' says Olayinka , who started the label about four years ago . `` Women who are very feminine and sexy . ''

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The young designer says that despite the existing challenges , such as frequent power cuts , it 's very exciting being part of Nigeria 's fashion scene right now .

`` We work hard and we party hard , so it 's been really fun and it 's a growing process in Nigeria , '' she says . `` Nigerians like to dress up and a lot of people in Nigeria are now wearing their own fabrics . ''

Profile boost

But despite the growing interest in African designs , Ademiluyi says that many of the continent 's promising talents still find it difficult to break into the mainstream international shows .

She says that for many of them , the week is a chance to shine on the international stage .

`` A lot of them are talented but they 're struggling , '' she says . `` They do n't have support from anywhere , so what we do is we support them -- it 's an affordable platform for the designers to showcase their talents to the world . ''

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South African fashion artist Steve Mandy agrees . He says that events like this help participants boost their profile both internationally and at home .

`` You can meet some really important people here and I have already met some great people here that I think I 'll do business with , '' says Durban-based Mandy , known for hand-painting on dresses and t-shirts .

`` The other thing is the spin-off in terms of your own image , in terms of our audience back in South Africa -- the fact that you can say that you did African Fashion Week it promotes you and helps your product to gain integrity . ''

Looking ahead , Ademiluyi says the goal is to hold the event twice a year and also establish a supply platform that would make the designers ' creations more accessible to the world .

`` For a lot of them , after Africa Fashion Week , that 's it , '' she says . `` The clients do n't know where to get their brand , so we hope to support the designers a lot more by opening up a distribution outlet . ''

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Africa Fashion Week London was held from August 1 to 3

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Inaugurated in 2011 , the event promotes emerging and established designers

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Organizers say they aim to hold the event twice a year and set up a distribution outlet